Benjamin Briggs, Captain Mary Celeste - Timeline Index Timeline Index Benjamin Briggs, Captain Mary Celeste Benjamin Spooner Briggs was an experienced United States seaman and master mariner. He is famous today for being the Captain of the merchant ship Mary Celeste when she was discovered unmanned and drifting in the Atlantic Ocean near the Straits of Gibraltar, on 4 December 1872. The lifeboat was missing, yet the Mary Celeste herself was still under sail, and there were still signs of a sudden and unexplained abandonment. Benjamin Briggs, his wife Sarah and two-year-old daughter Sophia Matilda, along with the crew of the Mary Celeste, and the lifeboat, were never found and presumed lost. It is generally considered the greatest maritime mystery of all time. More on this Website Benjamin Spooner Briggs (1835 - 1872) - Find A Grave Memorial Death: Nov., 1872 Captain of the mysterious "ghost ship" Mary Celeste. Briggs, his wife Sarah Cobb Briggs, their 2-year-old daughter Sophia, and seven crewmates, sailed from Massachusetts on November 7, 1872, bound for Europe with a cargo of commercial alcohol.

Less than a month later, on December 4, the ship was found sailing erratically off the coast of Gibralter. Crew from the DeGratia boarded the brigand to investigate. They found the last entry in the ship's log, dated November 24, which indicated that the voyage was uneventful. The sails were furled and the ship was in excellent condition. In the infant's crib remained the impression of a sleeping child. However, no sign of the crew or the Briggs family was ever found. A cenotaph memorializing the family is found in Evergreen Cemetery, Marion, Massachusetts. The inscription reads, "Capt. Benj S. Briggs born Apr 24, 1835, Sarah E Cobb his wife born Apr 20 1841, Sophia M, their daughter, then 10 mos, born Oct 31, 1870.

Lost in Brig Mary Celeste Nov 1872" (bio by: Shiver) Captain Benjamin Spooner Briggs (1835 - 1872) - Genealogy Captain Benjamin Spooner Briggs Share your family tree and photos with the people you know and love Build your family tree online Share photos and videos in Off the Coast of Portugal Cause of death: Marion, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States Immediate Family: Half brother of Nathan Stetson Briggs Managed by: Apr 24 1835 - Rochester, Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States Death: Between Nov 19 1872 and Dec 4 1872 - At Sea, On Board Mary Celeste Parents: Nathan Briggs, Sophia Matilda Briggs (born Cobb) Wife: Sarah Elizabeth Briggs (born Cobb) Children: Edith Percy Briggs, Sophia Matilda Briggs, Everson Cobb Briggs, Arthur Stanley Briggs Siblings: ..., Zenas Morton Briggs, Zen... s M.

Briggs, James Cannon Briggs, Sophrona Cobb Briggs, Nathan Henry Briggs, Maria Matilda Gibbs (born Briggs) Apr 24 1835 - Rochester, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA Death: Before Dec 5 1872 - At Sea, On Board Marie Celeste Parents: Nathan Briggs, Sophronia M. Briggs (born Cobb) Wife: Sarah E. Briggs (born Cobb) Daughter: Apr 24 1835 - Marion, Plymouth County, Massachusetts Death: Nathan Briggs, Sophronia M. Briggs (born Cobb) Siblings: ...than Henry Briggs, Maria Matilda Gibbs (born Briggs), Oliver Everson Briggs, James Cannon Briggs, Sophronia Cobb Briggs, Zenas Morton Briggs Wife: Sarah E. Briggs (born Cobb) Children: Apr 24 1835 - Rochester, Plymouth Co., MA Death: Circa Dec 5 1872 - Atlantic Ocean, Off St. Mary's Island, Azores, Portugal Parents: Nathan Briggs, Sophronia M.

Briggs (born Cobb) Wife: Sarah Elizabeth Briggs (born Cobb) Children: Apr 24 1835 - Rochester, Plymouth Co., MA Death: Circa Dec 5 1872 - Atlantic Ocean, Off St. Mary's Island, Azores, Portugal Parents: Nathan Briggs, Sophronia M. Briggs (born Cobb) Wife: Sarah Elizabeth Briggs (born Cobb) Children: Sep 9 1862 - Marion, Massachusetts Wife: Circa 1835 - Massachusetts, United States Residence: 1860 - Marion, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA Parents (implied): Nathan Briggs, Sophia M Briggs Siblings (implied): brother About Captain Benjamin Spooner Briggs Captain of the mysterious "ghost ship" Mary Celeste. Briggs, his wife Sarah Cobb Briggs, their 2-year-old daughter Sophia, and seven crewmates, sailed from Massachusetts on November 7, 1872, bound for Europe with a cargo of commercial alcohol. Less than a month later, on December 4, the ship was found sailing erratically off the coast of Gibralter. Crew from the DeGratia boarded the brigand to investigate.

They found the last entry in the ship's log, dated November 24, which indicated that the voyage was uneventful. The sails were furled and the ship was in excellent condition. In the infant's crib remained the impression of a sleeping child. However, no sign of the crew or the Briggs family was ever found. A cenotaph memorializing the family is found in Evergreen Cemetery, Marion, Massachusetts. The inscription reads, "Capt. Benj S. Briggs born Apr 24, 1835, Sarah E Cobb his wife born Apr 20 1841, Sophia M, their daughter, then 10 mos, born Oct 31, 1870. Lost in Brig Mary Celeste Nov 1872" (bio by: Shiver) About: Benjamin Briggs About: Benjamin Briggs An Entity of Type : person , from Named Graph : , within Data Space : dbpedia.org Benjamin Spooner Briggs (April 24, 1835 – probably November 1872) was an experienced United States seaman and master mariner.

He is famous today for being the Captain of the merchant ship Mary Celeste when she was discovered unmanned and drifting in the Atlantic Ocean near the Straits of Gibraltar, on December 4, 1872. The lifeboat was missing, yet the Mary Celeste herself was still under sail and there were signs of a sudden and unexplained abandonment. Benjamin Briggs, his wife Sarah and two-year-old daughter Sophia Matilda, along with the crew of the Mary Celeste, and the lifeboat, were never found and presumed lost. Property abstract Benjamin Spooner Briggs (April 24, 1835 – probably November 1872) was an experienced United States seaman and master mariner. He is famous today for being the Captain of the merchant ship Mary Celeste when she was discovered unmanned and drifting in the Atlantic Ocean near the Straits of Gibraltar, on December 4, 1872. The lifeboat was missing, yet the Mary Celeste herself was still under sail and there were signs of a sudden and unexplained abandonment.

Benjamin Briggs, his wife Sarah and two-year-old daughter Sophia Matilda, along with the crew of the Mary Celeste, and the lifeboat, were never found and presumed lost. (en) Benjamin Spooter Briggs (24 avril 1835 - novembre 1872 (?) ) était un marin américain. En 1872, il reçut le commandement de la Mary Celeste, navire qui disparut mystérieusement avec son équipage. Le devenir de ces hommes reste pour l'instant une énigme maritime importante. À bord de la Mary Celeste, outre l'équipage, se trouvaient deux passagers : Sarah Briggs, la femme de Benjamin et sa fille Sophia Mathilda, âgée de deux ans. Il avait également un jeune fils, Arthur, resté au pays. Benjamin Briggs était un marin expérimenté, respectable et profondément attaché à la religion. (fr) Era il capitano della Mary Celeste quando fu ritrovata, apparentemente abbandonata, il 4 dicembre 1872.

Egli stesso, sua moglie Sarah, la figlia Sophia Matilda e tutto l'equipaggio scomparvero misteriosamente. (it) Benjamin Spooner Briggs (Massachusetts, Estados Unidos, 24 de abril de 1835 - desaparecido en el océano Atlántico probablemente en noviembre de 1872) fue un marinero estadounidense. Es famoso por haber sido el capitán del buque mercante Mary Celeste que fue encontrado sin su tripulación y sin su bote salvavidas en el Atlántico cerca del estrecho de Gibraltar el 4 de diciembre de 1872 por la tripulación del Dei Gratia. El extraño caso de la desaparición de Briggs sigue sin resolver hasta nuestros días. (es) Benjamin Spooner Briggs (ur. 24 kwietnia 1835, zm. 1872) – amerykański żeglarz, kapitan statku Mary Celeste w momencie znalezienia go opuszczonego w grudniu 1872 r. przez bryg Dei Gratia.

Briggs, jego żona i córka wraz z całą załogą (łącznie 10 osób) zostali uznani za zaginionych. (pl) Бенджамин Спунер Бриггс (англ. Benjamin Spooner Briggs, 24 апреля 1835(18350424) — 1872?) — американский моряк. Он известен в первую очередь тем, что был капитаном торгового судна «Мария Целеста», найденного покинутым командой и дрейфующим на спокойных водах Атлантического океана недалеко от Гибралтарского пролива 4 декабря 1872 года. Спасательная шлюпка отсутствовала, хотя «Мария Целеста» не стояла на якоре и находилась в превосходном состоянии.

Были найдены следы недавнего пребывания людей и их внезапного и необъяснимого отплытия. Бриггс, его жена Сара, двухлетняя дочь София Матильда, а также команда «Марии Целесты» и спасательная шлюпка так и не были найдены и признаны пропавшими без вести. (ru) comment Benjamin Spooner Briggs (April 24, 1835 – probably November 1872) was an experienced United States seaman and master mariner. He is famous today for being the Captain of the merchant ship Mary Celeste when she was discovered unmanned and drifting in the Atlantic Ocean near the Straits of Gibraltar, on December 4, 1872. The lifeboat was missing, yet the Mary Celeste herself was still under sail and there were signs of a sudden and unexplained abandonment. Benjamin Briggs, his wife Sarah and two-year-old daughter Sophia Matilda, along with the crew of the Mary Celeste, and the lifeboat, were never found and presumed lost.

(en) Era il capitano della Mary Celeste quando fu ritrovata, apparentemente abbandonata, il 4 dicembre 1872. Egli stesso, sua moglie Sarah, la figlia Sophia Matilda e tutto l'equipaggio scomparvero misteriosamente. (it) Benjamin Spooner Briggs (Massachusetts, Estados Unidos, 24 de abril de 1835 - desaparecido en el océano Atlántico probablemente en noviembre de 1872) fue un marinero estadounidense. Es famoso por haber sido el capitán del buque mercante Mary Celeste que fue encontrado sin su tripulación y sin su bote salvavidas en el Atlántico cerca del estrecho de Gibraltar el 4 de diciembre de 1872 por la tripulación del Dei Gratia. El extraño caso de la desaparición de Briggs sigue sin resolver hasta nuestros días. (es) Benjamin Spooner Briggs (ur. 24 kwietnia 1835, zm.

1872) – amerykański żeglarz, kapitan statku Mary Celeste w momencie znalezienia go opuszczonego w grudniu 1872 r. przez bryg Dei Gratia. Briggs, jego żona i córka wraz z całą załogą (łącznie 10 osób) zostali uznani za zaginionych. (pl) Benjamin Spooter Briggs (24 avril 1835 - novembre 1872 (?) ) était un marin américain. En 1872, il reçut le commandement de la Mary Celeste, navire qui disparut mystérieusement avec son équipage. Le devenir de ces hommes reste pour l'instant une énigme maritime importante.À bord de la Mary Celeste, outre l'équipage, se trouvaient deux passagers : Sarah Briggs, la femme de Benjamin et sa fille Sophia Mathilda, âgée de deux ans. Il avait également un jeune fils, Arthur, resté au pays.Benjamin Briggs était un marin expérimenté, respectable et profondément attaché à la religion.

(fr) Бенджамин Спунер Бриггс (англ. Benjamin Spooner Briggs, 24 апреля 1835(18350424) — 1872?) — американский моряк. Он известен в первую очередь тем, что был капитаном торгового судна «Мария Целеста», найденного покинутым командой и дрейфующим на спокойных водах Атлантического океана недалеко от Гибралтарского пролива 4 декабря 1872 года. Спасательная шлюпка отсутствовала, хотя «Мария Целеста» не стояла на якоре и находилась в превосходном состоянии.

(ru) Briggs,Benjamin Dec 4 1872 (Porchlight International for the Missing & Unidentified) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Captain Benjamin Briggs in an undated photoBenjamin Spooner Briggs (24 April 1835 - 1872?) was an experienced seaman and sailer of the United States. He is most famous today for having been the Captain of the merchant ship Mary Celeste when she was discovered, apparently abandoned, drifting in the calm waters of the Atlantic Ocean Maritime career The Briggs family of Massachusetts had a long maritime history and Benjamin Briggs himself had spent most of his life at sea, and knew the perils therein well and by all accounts was an experienced, hardy and able seaman. Briggs was also a man who was well respected and admired by those who served under him due to his fairness and ability. He worked his way up the ranks to eventually becoming captain of his own ship, and also captain of numerous ships afterwards. Briggs had previously captained the brigantine Sea Foam, and in 1862 became captain of the three-masted schooner Forest King.

In 1865, when he took command of the bark Arthur, Benjamin gave command of the Forest King to his brother, Oliver Briggs. Oliver was a frequent buisness partner and sailer with his brother. [edit] Family Benjamin Briggs was a man of outstanding moral character, devoutly religious, and was also a believer in abstinence. This caught the attention of his peers in his local community. In 1862, Benjamin Briggs married Sarah Elizabeth Cobb, the daughter of the Reverend Leander Cobb. Benjamin and Sarah took their honeymoon in Europe and sailed there in Benjamin's three-masted schooner Forest King. At some point in 1865 they had a son, Arthur S. Briggs, who was born in the family home at Rose Cottage, Marion, Massachusetts, a town known for its many local sea captains and sailors whose homes were in town, and shipbuilding. The next year, the family travelled to Marseilles, France, and returned in time for their daughter, Sophia Matilda Briggs, to be born on 31 October 1870 at Rose Cottage.

[edit] Mary Celeste In 1871 Benjamin and his brother were considering giving up the sea and buying a hardware store in New Bedford, but apparently decided against this. In 1872 Benjamin bought a share in the brigantine Mary Celeste owned by James Winchester, formally the Amazon, and made modifications to the cabin to house his family. In late 1872, two-year-old Sarah and his wife Sophia accompanied him on a voyage from Staten Island, New York, to Genoa, Italy, while 7-year-old Arthur was left with his grandmother at Rose Cottage, Marion, Massachusetts, to attend school. A month later the ship was found famously and inexplicably abandoned in the calm waters of the Atlantic Ocean near the Straits of Gibraltar. Briggs, Sophia and Sarah, along with the rest of the crew of the Marie Celeste, were never discovered and their fate remains a mystery. [edit] Legacy Through his young son Arthur who was left a home with his grandmother at the time of the voyage, Benjamin Briggs has a number of living descendants. [1] Benjamin Briggs has been mentioned numerous times in conspiracy theories and fiction regarding the disappearance of the Mary Celeste.

One classic example of this is the 1935 Hammer Film Productions The Mystery of the Marie Celeste, starring Bela Lugosi. A fictionalized version of Cpt. Benjamin Briggs was also seen in the Doctor Who episode Flight Through Eternity in 1965. In 1884, only twelve years after the real incident, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, wrote a fictionalized account of the Mary Celeste entitled J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement. One reviewer sought to attribute the story to Robert Louis Stevenson, while critics compared it to Edgar Allan Poe. Doyle changed the spelling of the ship from Mary to Marie Celeste. Doyle's fictional story drew heavily on the original incident. Much of this story's fictional content, and the incorrect name, have come to dominate popular accounts of the incident. These include especially numerous things found onboard the vessel which were not. Doyle also put forward the theory that the crew were all murdered by African-American cutthroats bound on a racist jihad against all white men; however there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest this was the case. In fact, the facts of the incident would suggest anything otherwise is more likely.

A cenotaph memorializing the family is found in Evergreen Cemetery, Marion, Massachusetts. The inscription reads, "Capt. Benj S. Briggs born Apr 24, 1835, Sarah E Cobb his wife born Apr 20 1841, Sophia M, their daughter, then 10 mos, born Oct 31, 1870. Lost in Brig Mary Celeste Nov 1872" [2] [edit] See also Mary Celeste , on 4 December 1872. The lifeboat was missing yet the Mary Celeste herself was not anchored and still under full sail, in perfect condition, and there were still signs of very recent habitation on the ship and sudden and unexplained abandonment. Benjamin Briggs, his wife Sarah and two-year-old daughter Sophia Matilda, along with the crew of the Mary Celeste, and the lifeboat, were never found and presumed lost. It is generally considered the greatest maritime mystery of all time.

Maritime career The Briggs family of Massachusetts had a long maritime history and Benjamin Briggs himself had spent most of his life at sea, and knew the perils therein well and by all accounts was an experienced, hardy and able seaman. Briggs was also a man who was well respected and admired by those who served under him due to his fairness and ability. He worked his way up the ranks to eventually becoming captain of his own ship, and also captain of numerous ships afterwards. Briggs had previously captained the brigantine Sea Foam, and in 1862 became captain of the three-masted schooner Forest King. In 1865, when he took command of the bark Arthur, Benjamin gave command of the Forest King to his brother, Oliver Briggs. Oliver was a frequent buisness partner and sailer with his brother. [edit] Family Benjamin Briggs was a man of outstanding moral character, devoutly religious, and was also a believer in abstinence. This caught the attention of his peers in his local community. In 1862, Benjamin Briggs married Sarah Elizabeth Cobb, the daughter of the Reverend Leander Cobb.

Benjamin and Sarah took their honeymoon in Europe and sailed there in Benjamin's three-masted schooner Forest King. At some point in 1865 they had a son, Arthur S. Briggs, who was born in the family home at Rose Cottage, Marion, Massachusetts, a town known for its many local sea captains and sailors whose homes were in town, and shipbuilding. The next year, the family travelled to Marseilles, France, and returned in time for their daughter, Sophia Matilda Briggs, to be born on 31 October 1870 at Rose Cottage. [edit] Mary Celeste In 1871 Benjamin and his brother were considering giving up the sea and buying a hardware store in New Bedford, but apparently decided against this. In 1872 Benjamin bought a share in the brigantine Mary Celeste owned by James Winchester, formally the Amazon, and made modifications to the cabin to house his family. In late 1872, two-year-old Sarah and his wife Sophia accompanied him on a voyage from Staten Island, New York, to Genoa, Italy, while 7-year-old Arthur was left with his grandmother at Rose Cottage, Marion, Massachusetts, to attend school.

A month later the ship was found famously and inexplicably abandoned in the calm waters of the Atlantic Ocean near the Straits of Gibraltar. Briggs, Sophia and Sarah, along with the rest of the crew of the Marie Celeste, were never discovered and their fate remains a mystery. [edit] Legacy Through his young son Arthur who was left a home with his grandmother at the time of the voyage, Benjamin Briggs has a number of living descendants. [1] Benjamin Briggs has been mentioned numerous times in conspiracy theories and fiction regarding the disappearance of the Mary Celeste. One classic example of this is the 1935 Hammer Film Productions The Mystery of the Marie Celeste, starring Bela Lugosi. A fictionalized version of Cpt. Benjamin Briggs was also seen in the Doctor Who episode Flight Through Eternity in 1965. In 1884, only twelve years after the real incident, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, wrote a fictionalized account of the Mary Celeste entitled J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement. One reviewer sought to attribute the story to Robert Louis Stevenson, while critics compared it to Edgar Allan Poe.

Doyle changed the spelling of the ship from Mary to Marie Celeste. Doyle's fictional story drew heavily on the original incident. Much of this story's fictional content, and the incorrect name, have come to dominate popular accounts of the incident. These include especially numerous things found onboard the vessel which were not. Doyle also put forward the theory that the crew were all murdered by African-American cutthroats bound on a racist jihad against all white men; however there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest this was the case. In fact, the facts of the incident would suggest anything otherwise is more likely. A cenotaph memorializing the family is found in Evergreen Cemetery, Marion, Massachusetts. The inscription reads, "Capt. Benj S. Briggs born Apr 24, 1835, Sarah E Cobb his wife born Apr 20 1841, Sophia M, their daughter, then 10 mos, born Oct 31, 1870. Lost in Brig Mary Celeste Nov 1872" [2] [edit] See also Birth: Apr.

24, 1835 Death: Nov., 1872, At Sea Captain of the mysterious "ghost ship" Mary Celeste. Briggs, his wife Sarah Cobb Briggs, their 2-year-old daughter Sophia, and seven crewmates, sailed from Massachusetts on November 7, 1872, bound for Europe with a cargo of commercial alcohol. Less than a month later, on December 4, the ship was found sailing erratically off the coast of Gibralter. Crew from the DeGratia boarded the brigand to investigate. They found the last entry in the ship's log, dated November 24, which indicated that the voyage was uneventful. The sails were furled and the ship was in excellent condition. In the infant's crib remained the impression of a sleeping child. However, no sign of the crew or the Briggs family was ever found. A cenotaph memorializing the family is found in Evergreen Cemetery, Marion, Massachusetts. The inscription reads, "Capt. Benj S.

Briggs born Apr 24, 1835, Sarah E Cobb his wife born Apr 20 1841, Sophia M, their daughter, then 10 mos, born Oct 31, 1870. Lost in Brig Mary Celeste Nov 1872" (bio by: Shiver) Search Amazon for Benjamin Briggs Burial:: Maintained by: Find A Grave Record added: Oct 31 2004 Find A Grave Memorial# 9731187 The Mary Celeste - fact not fiction The Mary Celeste $ 1500 Events leading up to the mystery It was 9am on the morning of Friday, December 13th 1872 when people on the waterfront saw a small two-masted sailing vessel entering the Bay of Gibraltar. The ship was the 'Mary Celeste' of New York, a Canadian built 100 foot brigantine of 282 tons registered in New York. The registered owners were James H Winchester (12/24) Sylvester Goodwin (2/24) and Benjamin Spooner Briggs (8/24).

Her master, Benjamin Spooner Briggs known in Gibraltar to be a staunch abstainer drom drink and devout bible reader. At the inquiry the ships main owner James Henry Winchester gave evidence that the Captain was a courageous officer who would not dessert his ship except to save his life. The second-in-command, the Mate, was Albert Richardson, who was also considered by Winchester to be fit to command himself. But of the good Captain Briggs, his wife Sarah, two year old daughter Sophia Matilda, and the crew of seven , nothing was to be seen or found ever again. And so begins the greatest of mysteries, or at least it might seem. However, were it not for Dr Arthur Conan Doyle, struggling to establish himself as a writer prior to creating Sherlock Holmes, perhaps the world would not have ever known or cared. The story, like many a tale, it has grown with the telling, to incorporate speculation of further mysteries, including pirates, creatures from the deep, abduction by aliens, submarines, and time travel. Conan Doyle's short story about the 'Marie Celeste' (he changed the name from Mary) turned a minor puzzle into one of the most famous legends of the sea.

Nevertheless we should recognise it was fiction, for which his editor paid 30 Pounds, which would have been a respectable sum in 1884. Turning back to the REAL story, which survives because shipping companies and court inquiries leave behind ample records to be researched, we find the following facts; The 'Mary Celeste' had sailed from New York on November 7th bound for Genoa with a cargo of 1701 barrels of American Alcohol, shipped by Meissner Ackermann & Co., value approximatly $35,000 the purpose of which was to fortify wine. The value of the freight on the alcohol was $3,400 and the ship herself $14,000. The Vessels cargo was insured in Europe, and the hull insurance was carried by American companies. The Freight was insured by the Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company of New York, today the only survivor of the American insurers. She was followed on 15th November by the 'Dei Gratia' which followed a roughly parallel course across the Atlantic carrying a cargo 1735 barrels of petroleum.

On the Afternoon of December 5th 1872 half way between the Azores and the Portuguese coast the 'Dei Gratia' came up with a Brigantine which Captain Morehouse recognised as the 'Mary Celeste'. He knew Captain Briggs and had dined with him before he sailed. He was puzzled to see the ship yawing, coming into the wind and then falling off, she was out of control. He knew Captain Briggs to be a good seaman. There were no distress signals, and after watching for two hours and hailing her and getting no reply they set off in a small boat and duly boarded her. The vessel was found to be in good seaworthy condition and the general impression was that the crew had left in a great hurry. They had left behind their oil skin boots and pipes. Captain Morehouse's explanation was that they had left in panic thinking the vessel to be sinking. The chronometer and sextant were not found on board. The last entry on the ships slate showed she had made the island of St Mary in the Azores on November 25th.

Lost Crew of the Mary Celeste | Historic Mysteries Lost Crew of the Mary Celeste 963 Views Benjamin Briggs, Captain of Mary Celeste On 4 December 1872, Seaman John Johnson of the Dei Gratia informed Captain Morehouse that he spotted a vessel off the port bow, 38°20′ N 17º 15′ W and 600 miles west of Portugal. As this vessel drew closer to the Dei Gratia they noticed that only three sails were still set. The remainder of the sails had either been blown away or not raised. Something seemed amiss and after repeated attempts to contact the members of this ship, Captain Morehouse ordered three sailors to board her for inspection. As these sailors rowed toward the ship, they noticed the name “Mary Celeste New York” written on the stern. Mary Celeste was approximately 100 feet long with an ornamental scroll on her bow. She was built in Nova Scotia in 1860 and originally named the Amazon. She displaced 280 tons and was registered as a half brig. Upon climbing on board, they realized it was unmanned.

The vessel was noted to have minimal damage but overall in proper working order. The only thing that initially seemed out of place was that the lifeboat was missing. The captain of the Mary Celeste’s bed was unmade and toys laid on the deck. The last entry in the ships log was dated 8:00 A.M. on 25 November 1872 stating all conditions were normal and that they were near the Azores, approximately six miles from the island of Santa Maria. After a thorough search the crew realized the chronometer, sextant, navigation book and ships register were missing. The rigging was in disorder, the binnacle was toppled and the steering compass was smashed in. They found a six month supply of food and fresh water and a cargo consisting of 1,701 well stowed and unopened barrels of raw alcohol destined for Genoa, Italy to fortify wine. The bilge contained only about 3-4 feet of water. The ships crew and passenger’s lockers still contained their clothing. Upon returning to the Dei Gratia, the sailors briefed Captain Morehouse on the results of their search.

Ironically, Captain Morehouse knew the captain of the Mary Celeste as Captain Benjamin Spooner Biggs (37) and also his spouse, Sarah. In fact, Captain Morehouse had dinner with the Biggs the day before the Mary Celeste set sail from Pier 44 from New York City’s East River on that fateful Tuesday, 5 November 1872. The Biggs had mentioned their two year old daughter, Sophia Matilda, would be sailing with them. Biggs had also mentioned how pleased he was with his new, professional crew. Brigantine ”Amazon” entering Marseilles in November 1861. She was later renamed ”Mary Celeste” Captain Morehouse eventually decided to split his crew and sail the Mary Celeste and Dei Gratia to Gibraltar for her salvaging. Many theories were formulated as to what happened to the crew of Mary Celeste, but to date this mystery has yet to be solved.

* As a footnote, the Mary Celeste made history once again when Clive Cussler, best-selling novelist and adventurer, representing the National Underwater & Marine Agency, (NUMA) and John Davis, president of ECO-NOVA Productions of Canada, announced on 9 August 2001, that they had discovered the remains of Mary Celeste on a reef off the coast of Haiti. Davis explained “the ship sailed under different owners for twelve years, until her last captain loaded her with a cargo of cheap rubber boots and cat food before deliberately sinking her, and then filing an exorbitant insurance claim for an exotic cargo that never existed. Unfortunately, for the captain his plan fell apart after running the ship onto Rochelais Reef in Haiti, the ship hung up on the coral and refused to sink. Insurance inspectors investigated and found the worthless cargo.

The captain and his first mate were later convicted on charges of what was then known as barratry.” The Mystery of the Mary Celeste: Crew Vanishes from Seaworthy Ship | Ancient Origins 27 April, 2015 - 00:34 dhwty The Mystery of the Mary Celeste: Crew Vanishes from Seaworthy Ship (Read the article on one page) On 4 December, 1872, a ship now known as the Mary Celeste was found adrift in the choppy seas of the Atlantic. The ship was in full sail and in sound and seaworthy condition with ample provisions, but when it was boarded it was found to be completely empty – the crew had vanished without a trace. It is a mystery that has endured for more than 135 years. In January 1885, a ship slammed into Rochelois Reef, and was wrecked off the island of Haiti. The captain, Gilman Parker, sold the salvage rights to the American consul for $500, and made an insurance claim for the alleged value of the ship’s cargo. This was the end of one of the most infamous ships to have sailed the seas, the Mary Celeste .

However, it was the incident 13 years prior to Parker’s wrecking of the Mary Celeste that made it one of history’s most enduring mysteries. The Rochelois Bank in the Gulf of Gonâve, Haiti, where the Mary Celeste met its end. The Rochelois Bank is faintly discernible in the southerly channel between the island and the mainland. ( Wikimedia Commons ) The Mary Celeste was a merchant brigantine that was launched under British registration in 1861 as Amazon. Seven years later, she was transferred to American ownership, and was re-christened as the Mary Celeste . The ship continued to sail uneventfully until her 1872 voyage from New York to Genoa. The ship’s captain was Benjamin Briggs, a man said to be a staunch abstainer from alcohol and a devout Christian. Captain Briggs was also described as a brave officer who would not abandon his ship unless to save his life. The first mate, Albert Richardson, was also considered fit to command, and was hand-picked by Captain Briggs. Additionally, Captain Brigg’s wife, his infant daughter, and six other crew members were on board the Mary Celeste . The Missing Crew of the Mary Celeste.

From Left to Right: Benjamin Briggs, Captain of Mary Celeste; Albert C. Richardson, First mate; Sarah Briggs, wife of Benjamin Briggs; Sophia Briggs, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Briggs (public domain) Towards the end of October 1872, the loading of the ship’s cargo – 1701 barrels of poisonous denatured alcohol began. On the 7 th of November, the Mary Celeste left New York Harbour, and sailed into the Atlantic. On the 4 th of December, the British brigantine Dei Gratia discovered the Mary Celeste sailing aimlessly between the Azores and Portugal. Upon closer inspection, the crew of the Dei Gratia discovered that there was no one on board the Mary Celeste , and the last entry in the ship’s daily log was written on the 24 th of November . In spite of this, the ship was still in seaworthy condition, her cargo still largely intact, and her food and water supply sufficient for six months. Benjamin Briggs - The Full Wiki The Full Wiki More info on Benjamin Briggs Wikis Note: Many of our articles have direct quotes from sources you can cite, within the Wikipedia article!

This article doesn't yet, but we're working on it! See more info or our list of citable articles . Related top topics From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Captain Benjamin Briggs in an undated photo Benjamin Spooner Briggs (24 April 1835 – c. 1872) was an experienced United States seaman and master mariner . He is famous today for being the Captain of the merchant ship Mary Celeste when she was discovered unmanned and drifting in the Atlantic Ocean near the Straits of Gibraltar , on 4 December 1872. The lifeboat was missing, yet the Mary Celeste herself was still under sail, and there were still signs of a sudden and unexplained abandonment. Benjamin Briggs, his wife Sarah and two-year-old daughter Sophia Matilda, along with the crew of the Mary Celeste, and the lifeboat, were never found and presumed lost. It is generally considered the greatest maritime mystery of all time. Contents 6 External links Maritime career The Briggs family of Massachusetts had a long maritime connection, and Benjamin Briggs himself spent most of his life at sea. He was an experienced, hardy and able seaman. He reportedly was respected by those who served under him because of his fairness and ability.

He worked his way to eventually become a master mariner . Briggs captained the brigantine Sea Foam, and in 1862 became master of the three-masted schooner Forest King. When he took command of the bark Arthur in 1865, he turned over command of the Forest King to his brother, Oliver Briggs. Oliver Briggs was a frequent business partner and sailor with his brother. Family Benjamin Briggs was devoutly religious and a believer in abstinence . In 1862, he married Sarah Elizabeth Cobb, daughter of the Reverend Leander Cobb. The newly weds sailed to Europe in Benjamin's schooner Forest King. Their son, Arthur S. Briggs, was born in 1865 at the family home at Rose Cottage, Marion, Massachusetts . The following year, the family travelled to Marseilles , France , returning in time for their daughter, Sophia Matilda Briggs, to be born on 31 October 1870 at Rose Cottage. Mary Celeste Main article: Mary Celeste In 1871 Briggs and his brother considered giving up the sea and buying a hardware store in New Bedford .

In 1872, however, Benjamin Briggs bought a share in the brigantine Amazon, owned by James Winchester, and made modifications to the cabin to house his family. In late 1872, two-year-old Sophia and his wife Sarah accompanied him on the ill fated voyage from Staten Island , New York , to Genoa , Italy . Their son Arthur stayed with his grandmother at Rose Cottage, Marion, Massachusetts , to attend school. The following month Briggs' ship was found inexplicably abandoned in the Atlantic Ocean near the Straits of Gibraltar . Briggs, his wife and daughter, and the crew of the Mary Celeste were never found. Their fate remains a mystery. Legacy Benjamin Briggs has living descendants through his son Arthur who was left at home with his grandmother. [1] Briggs has been mentioned numerous times in conspiracy theories and fiction regarding the disappearance of the Mary Celeste, including the 1935 Hammer Film Productions The Mystery of the Marie Celeste , which starred Bela Lugosi . A fictionalized version of Cpt. Benjamin Briggs was also seen in the 1965 Doctor Who episode The Chase . He was also the protagonist of the 2006 computer game Limbo of the Lost .

In 1884, only twelve years after the incident, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle , the creator of Sherlock Holmes , wrote a fictionalized account of the Mary Celeste titled J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement . One reviewer sought to attribute the story to Robert Louis Stevenson , while critics compared it to Edgar Allan Poe . Doyle changed the spelling of the ship from Mary to Marie Celeste. Unfortunately, much of the fictional content and the incorrect name, have merged with fact in popular accounts of the incident. These include especially numerous things found on board the vessel which were not. Doyle also put forward the theory that the crew were murdered by African-American killers on a racist jihad against all caucasians. A cenotaph memorializing the family stands in Evergreen Cemetery , Marion, Massachusetts . The inscription reads: "Capt. Benj S. Briggs born Apr 24, 1835, Sarah E Cobb his wife born Apr 20 1841, Sophia M, their daughter, then 10 mos, born Oct 31, 1870. Lost in Brig Mary Celeste Nov 1872" [2] References

Question: Benjamin Briggs was captain of which famous ship?
Answer: Mary Celeste